China‘s “loneliest” generation delay pregnancy with pressure to care for parents

Dec 09, 2015, 09:00 am

print page small font big font

facebook share

tweet share

Grandparents walking with their grandchildren in Beijing, China./ Source from Yonhap News


AsiaToday reporter Lee Mi-hyun - China's young generation raised without siblings under the "one-child" policy tends to focus more on their parents than their children.


The Guardian said Monday that the current generation of young people, who grew up as only children under China's "one-child" policy in 1979, is the most privileged and the loneliest generation.


"If I'd shared my parents' resources with brothers and sisters, I wouldn't be where I am today," said Jessica, a 23-year-old University of Michigan student. She claimed that she was able to do a variety of extracurricular activities and come to the United States to study as a result of receiving the entire financial support of her parents.


They are called the most fortunate generation for receiving concentrated support and resources, earning the nickname "spoiled little emperors."


In fact, Chinese parents put all their resources and interest into their only children. More than 85% of children born in the 1990s have attended high school, which is much higher than the average for east Asia with 61%.


A recent study from the Institute of Education (IoE) at the University of London found that Chinese students are two and a half years ahead of their western peers by the time they are 15.


As they have received generous support, their parents have huge academic expectations on their children.


The Guardian said the "loneliest" generation feel they must achieve and make their families proud, work hard to make good use of the years of financial and emotional support, and sacrifice.


"Chinese students at universities in the west are dedicated to work and calling their families every hour. They have been made to feel special, but in reality they carry a heavy burden," said Bonnie, a 24-year-old journalist living in Beijing.


#China #one-child policy #loneliest generation #pregnancy #delay 
Copyright by Asiatoday